This press note summarises a discussion between Rizwan Soomar, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, DP World – Subcontinent, Central Asia, Levant and Egypt, and Samir Saran, President, Observer Research Foundation, at Sagarmanthan 2026: The Great Oceans Dialogue, held on 7 October 2026 in New Delhi.
Global trade is entering an era where resilience and optionality are becoming as important as cost and efficiency. Businesses need logistics networks that can respond to constantly changing global trade environment, switch between routes and modes, and connect production centres with consumers across markets. Recent regional developments have also demonstrated the scale of capacity required to keep global trade moving.
DESIGNING TRADE NETWORKS FOR RESILIENCE DURING UNCERTAINTY
Recent years have shifted supply-chain thinking from a traditional emphasis on “just in time” towards incorporating “just in case” planning. When established trade routes are disrupted, shifting cargo to alternative ports and land routes requires significant additional trucking, port, warehousing and handling capacity. Alternative trade routes therefore need to be made commercially viable and operational ahead of time.
This means added investment into logistics networks during times of relative stability, creating capacity in ports, transport and handling, but also streamlining customs processes, digital systems and cross-border arrangements.
The $8 billion investment into building Vadhvan Port is an example of a project that can add to critical capacity and could be leveraged during shifts in global trade.
INTEGRATED PARTNERSHIPS WILL BUILD THE FUTURE OF GLOBAL TRADE
The next generation of logistics infrastructure will increasingly depend on public-private partnerships. Governments can create enabling policy and infrastructure frameworks, while private operators contribute capital, technology, operational expertise and global networks.
India’s trade growth has rested on two premises: connecting India with India and connecting India to the world. The former presents a huge opportunity, by harnessing the three modes – India’s rail network, coastal shipping and trucking effectively, the cost of logistics can be reduced and which in turn increases the competitiveness of the goods. Connecting ports with railways, highways, inland terminals, warehousing and manufacturing clusters can create integrated trade ecosystems.
FROM MOVING CARGO TO MANAGING COMPLEXITY
The role of logistics companies is expanding beyond moving products from one point to another. Customers increasingly look for providers to manage a larger portion of the supply chain, including warehousing, inventory, customs, distribution, and the associated risk. This becomes particularly important when entering new markets. In Africa, for example, integrated logistics models can connect Indian production with destination-market distribution, helping businesses manage the movement, storage and delivery of goods without independently building every element of a local supply chain. Logistics is consequently becoming a strategic consideration in where and how businesses grow.
CONNECTING INDIA TO NEW MARKETS THROUGH THE UAE
India’s expanding manufacturing and supplier base creates an opportunity for deeper integration with global markets. Combining the UAE’s logistics infrastructure, connectivity and distribution capabilities with India’s manufacturing strengths can create efficient pathways to customers across the GCC, Africa and other markets.
Bharat Mart exemplifies this model. Designed as a trading and distribution platform in Dubai for Indian businesses, including SMEs and MSMEs, it can enable Indian products to be warehoused, showcased and distributed closer to regional customers.
Integrated logistics and distribution networks can therefore help Indian companies reach untapped markets. Digital connections between customs, ports and trade systems can further strengthen these corridors by reducing documentation, improving cargo visibility and enabling more efficient cross-border movement.
AI AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REIMAGINE LOGISTICS
Artificial intelligence and automation can help redesign processes and help companies to improve productivity and operate at greater scale. The larger opportunity lies in using technology to enable growth.
AI can support optimisation and automation across supply chains, improving efficiency, responsiveness and scalability. Capturing these benefits will require businesses to rethink processes while building the skills and capabilities needed for effective technology adoption.
